Photographing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A photographing apparatus comprises an imaging sensor and a display unit. The imaging sensor obtains image data. The display unit indicates a first white balance setting picture that is used for setting a white balance gain in a white balance adjustment of the image data and a second white balance setting picture that is used for setting a fine adjustment of the white balance gain. The second white balance setting picture has an adjustment state indication area that illustrates a state where the fine adjustment is tuned and an adjustment quantity indication area which has a cursor illustrating a quantity of the fine adjustment and a two-dimensional coordinate plane illustrating a range of movement of the cursor. Only the second white balance setting picture has the adjustment state indication area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and inparticular to the indication of a picture that is used for setting awhite balance gain.

2. Description of the Related Art

A photographing apparatus in which the setting for the white balancegain of the image data can be fine-tuned is proposed.

Japanese unexamined patent publication (KOKAI) No. 2004-304695 disclosesa photographing apparatus in which a fine adjustment can be made to thewhite balance gain (a white balance adjustment including a fineadjustment).

However, because the visible effect of making the fine adjustment to asetting in the image processing operation, such as the white balancegain etc., is not illustrated, it is difficult to visually recognize aquantity of the fine adjustment made to the setting in the imageprocessing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide aphotographing apparatus so that the quantity of the fine adjustment madeto the setting in the image processing operation can be visuallyrecognized.

According to the present invention, a photographing apparatus comprisesan imaging sensor and a display unit. The imaging sensor obtains imagedata. The display unit indicates a first white balance setting picturethat is used for setting a white balance gain in a white balanceadjustment of the image data and a second white balance setting picturethat is used for setting a fine adjustment of the white balance gain.The second white balance setting picture has an adjustment stateindication area that illustrates a state where the fine adjustment istuned and an adjustment quantity indication area which has a cursorillustrating a quantity of the fine adjustment and a two-dimensionalcoordinate plane illustrating a range of movement of the cursor. Onlythe second white balance setting picture has the adjustment stateindication area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood from the following description, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a construction figure of the photographing apparatus in theembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the photographing apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view of the photographing apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that indicates the flow of the image data that isgenerated for the preview indication operation;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that indicates the flow when the white balancegain is set;

FIG. 6 is the display content of the first white balance setting pictureand the preview image;

FIG. 7 is the display content of the first white balance setting picturewithout the preview image;

FIG. 8 is the display content of the second white balance settingpicture and the preview image; and

FIG. 9 is the display content of the second white balance settingpicture without the preview image.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described below with reference to theembodiment shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, the photographingapparatus 1 is a digital camera.

The imaging part of the photographing apparatus 1 comprises an operationunit 10, a controller 30, a photographing unit 50, a memory unit 70, abuffer memory 80, and an display unit 90 (see FIG. 1).

The operation unit 10 has a mode dial 11, a power supply lever 12, arelease button 13, a reset key 14, a function key 15, direction keys 16,a decision key 17, and a menu key 18 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

The photographing unit 50 has a lens 51 including an aperture, ashutter, 52, and an imaging sensor 53 such as a CCD etc.

The display unit 90 has an optical finder 91, a first display 92 a, anda second display 92 b.

In a photographing operation, when the release button 13 is fullydepressed, the photographic subject image is captured as an opticalimage through the lens 51 and the shutter 52 by the imaging sensor 53 sothat the image obtained by the photographing operation is displayed onthe first display 92 a and the image data obtained by the photographingoperation is stored in the memory unit 70. The photographic subjectimage through the lens 51 can be optically observed through the opticalfinder 91.

In the photographing operation, when the power supply lever 12 is movedto a preview position (not depicted), the photographic subject image iscaptured as an optical image through the lens 51 and the shutter 52 bythe imaging sensor 53 so that the image obtained by the photographingoperation is displayed on the first display 92 a and the image dataobtained by the photographing operation is temporarily stored in thebuffer memory 80. However, the image data is not stored in the memoryunit 70.

The image data that is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80 isused for a preview indication and is used as a confirmation image (apreview image) for a first white balance setting picture and a secondwhite balance setting picture.

The first white balance setting picture is used for setting the whitebalance gain (selecting the white balance mode) in the white balanceadjustment of the image data. The second white balance setting pictureis used for setting the fine adjustment of the white balance gain of theselected white balance mode.

The mode dial 11 is used for selecting the exposure mode, such as anaperture priority AE mode or a shutter speed priority AE mode etc. Themode dial 11 is rotated so that the exposure mode corresponding to amode mark that is adjusted to a dial selection position (not depicted)by the rotating operation of the mode dial 11 is an exposure mode inwhich the photographing apparatus 1 is set.

The power supply lever 12 is a lever that is arranged on a front grippart of the photographing apparatus 1 and is arranged around the releasebutton 13, where the power supply lever 12 can be rotated by the user'sright forefinger etc., while holding the photographing apparatus 1.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to an ON position that is oneof the predetermined positions, the photographing apparatus 1 is set tothe ON state.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to an OFF position that is oneof the predetermined positions, the photographing apparatus 1 is set tothe OFF state.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to the preview position thatis one of the predetermined positions, the photographing operation fortemporarily storing the image data to the buffer memory 80 (a previewindication operation) is performed.

When the release button 13 is partially depressed by the user, thephotometric switch (not depicted) changes to the ON state so that thephotometric operation is performed by an AE sensor (not depicted), andthe AF sensing operation and the focusing operation are performed by theAF sensor (not depicted).

When the release button 13 is fully depressed by the user, the releaseswitch (not depicted) changes to the ON state so that the photographingoperation is performed. The image, which is captured, is indicated onthe first display 92 a and the image data is stored in the memory unit70.

The image that is captured in the photographing operation when therelease button 13 is fully depressed, may be a still picture or a movingpicture.

An operation for setting a white balance gain, which is a gain in awhite balance adjustment, is fine-tuned by the user operating thefunction key 15, the direction keys 16, and the decision key 17.

The reset key 14 and the menu key 18 are used for making a fineadjustment to the white balance gain.

The reset key 14 is a button that is arranged on the front grip part ofthe photographing apparatus 1 and is arranged near the release button13. When the reset key is depressed by the user's right forefinger etc.,while holding the photographing apparatus 1, under the condition wherethe second white balance setting picture is indicated and the fineadjustment of the white balance is carried out (see FIGS. 8 and 9), aparameter indicating that the fine adjustment has been made to the whitebalance gain is reset so that the white balance gain is returned to theprevious white balance gain before the fine adjustment was made. Inother words, a GM compensation value and a BA compensation value arereset.

The function key 15 is arranged on a lower right rear surface of thephotographing apparatus 1. The direction keys 16 are comprised of anup-direction key 16 a, a down-direction key 16 b, a right-direction key16 c, and a left-direction key 16 d, and are arranged on a right rearsurface of the photographing apparatus 1 where the direction keys 16surround the decision key 17.

When the function key 15 is depressed, a function setting picture (notdepicted) is indicated on the first display 92 a. When theleft-direction key 16 d is depressed, the first white balance settingpicture is indicated on the first display 92 a (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

When the right-direction key 16 c is depressed under the condition wherethe first white balance setting picture is indicated, the second whitebalance setting picture is indicated on the first display 92 a (seeFIGS. 8 and 9).

The decision key 17 is used for determining the setting state of thewhite balance (the white balance gain) that is set by operating thedirection keys 16.

When the decision key 17 is depressed under the condition where thefirst white balance setting picture is indicated, the white balance gainis determined on the basis of a white balance mode that is selected bythe user. The indication is then switched from the first white balancesetting picture to the function setting picture.

The selected white balance mode is surrounded by a rectangular frame onthe first white balance setting picture.

When the decision key 17 is depressed under the condition where thesecond white balance setting picture is indicated, the quantity of thefine adjustment of the white balance of the selected white balance modeis determined on the basis of the position of a cursor in an adjustmentquantity indication area WB22 of the second white balance settingpicture. The indication is then switched from the second white balancesetting picture to the first white balance setting picture.

In the fine adjustment made to the white balance, an adjustment to thetone of the colors between green and magenta, and an adjustment to thetone of the colors between blue and amber are fine-tuned.

The menu key 18 is a button that is arranged on a left rear surface ofthe photographing apparatus 1 and is used when the fine adjustment ismade to the white balance under the condition where the second whitebalance setting picture is indicated.

When the menu key 18 is depressed under the condition where the secondwhite balance setting picture is indicated, the indication is switchedfrom the second white balance setting picture to the first white balancesetting picture without determining the quantity of the fine adjustmentmade to the white balance of the selected white balance mode on thebasis of the position of the cursor in the adjustment quantityindication area WB22 of the second white balance setting picture.

Further, the menu key may be used as a start button for making anadjustment to the image quality.

The controller 30 is a control apparatus that controls each part of thephotographing apparatus 1 regarding the photographing operation. Inparticular, the controller 30 changes the setting state of the whitebalance corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 10 whensetting the white balance gain, including the fine adjustment, iscarried out. Further, when the preview indication operation isperformed, the controller 30 performs the white balance adjustment onthe still picture that is indicated in the preview indication operation,on the basis of the setting state of the white balance. Further, thecontroller 30 performs the indication of the information regarding thesetting state of the white balance (the indications of the first whitebalance setting picture and the second white balance setting picture)and the indication of the still picture on the first display. 92 a afterthe adjustment has been made to the white balance.

The optical finder 91 is a finder for observing the optical image of thephotographing subject through the lens 51. By looking with one eye ofthe user, the optical finder 91 is also for observing the exposurecondition set by the user or calculated by the photometric operation.

The first display 92 a is an indicating apparatus that is arranged onthe rear surface of the photographing apparatus 1 and indicates theimage obtained by the photographing operation (including the stillpicture that is used for the preview indication operation). The firstdisplay 92 also indicates the information regarding the setting state ofthe white balance (the first and second white balance setting pictures).

The second display 92 b is an indicating apparatus that is arranged onthe top surface of the photographing apparatus 1 and indicatesinformation about the function that is set in regard to the exposurecondition, the image processing operation such as the white balanceetc., and the storage operation.

The first display 92 a indicates the first white balance setting pictureor the second white balance setting picture that perform the informationregarding the setting state of the white balance, based on the operationof the function key 15 and the left-direction key 16 d of the directionkeys 16.

When the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80, theinformation regarding the setting state of the white balance (the firstwhite balance setting picture, the second white balance setting picture)is indicated in the most recent image data in the preview indicationoperation on the first display 92 a (on-screen indication, see FIGS. 6and 8).

When the image data is not temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80,the information regarding the setting state of the white balance (thefirst white balance setting picture, the second white balance settingpicture) is indicated without on-screen indication (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

When one of the direction keys 16 is operated under the condition wherethe information regarding the setting state of the white balance (thefirst white balance setting picture, the second white balance settingpicture) is indicated, the setting state of the white balance ischanged.

The first white balance setting picture has a white balance indicationarea WB1, a first selected mode indication area WB2, a preview commandindication area WB3, a decision command indication area WB4, an AWB modeindication area WB5, a daylight mode indication area WB6, a shade modeindication area WB7, a cloudy mode indication area WB8, a fluorescentlight mode indication area WB9, a tungsten light mode indication areaWB10, a flash mode indication area WB11, a manual mode indication areaWB12, a color temperature indication area WB13, and the adjustmentquantity indication area WB22 (see FIGS. 6 and 7).

The white balance indication area WB1 displays a letter to indicate thatthe indication picture is in the setting state of the white balance.

The first selected mode indication area WB2 displays a letter toindicate a white balance mode that is selected by the user.

The preview command indication area WB3 displays an icon and a letter toindicate information regarding the command of the preview indicationoperation.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to the preview position underthe condition where the first white balance indication setting pictureis indicated, the photographing operation for temporarily storing theimage data to the buffer memory 80 (the preview indication operation) isperformed immediately.

The decision command indication area WB4 displays an icon and a letterto indicate information regarding the command of the decision key 17.

When the decision key 17 is depressed under the condition where thefirst white balance indication setting picture is indicated, the settingstate of the white balance is determined and then the indication isswitched from the first white balance setting picture to the functionsetting picture.

The AWB mode indication area WB5 displays a letter to indicate an autowhite balance mode that automatically adjusts the white balance.

The daylight mode indication area WB6 displays an icon to indicate adaylight white balance mode that is used when taking pictures insunlight.

The shade mode indication area WB7 displays an icon to indicate a shadewhite balance mode that is used when taking pictures in the shade.

The cloudy mode indication area WB8 displays an icon to indicate acloudy white balance mode that is used when taking pictures on cloudydays.

The fluorescent light mode indication area WB9 displays an icon and aletter to indicate a fluorescent light white balance mode that is usedwhen taking pictures under fluorescent lighting.

The tungsten light mode indication area WB10 displays an icon toindicate a tungsten light white balance mode that is used when takingpictures under a light bulb or other tungsten light.

The flash mode indication area WB11 displays an icon to indicate a flashwhite balance mode that is used when taking pictures using the built-inflash.

The manual mode indication area WB12 displays an icon to indicate amanual white balance mode that manually adjusts the white balance.

The color temperature indication area WB13 displays a numerical value toindicate a color temperature setting mode that the color temperature isset.

The adjustment quantity indication area WB22 consists of a cursorillustrating the quantity of the fine adjustment of the white balanceand a two-dimensional coordinate plane illustrating the cursor's rangeof movement.

When at least one of the up-direction key 16 a and the down-directionkey 16 b is depressed under the condition where the first white balancesetting picture is indicated, the rectangular frame is moved to one ofthe AWB mode indication area WB5, the daylight mode indication area WB6,the shade mode indication area WB7, the cloudy mode indication area WB8,the fluorescent light mode indication area WB9, the tungsten light modeindication area WB10, the flash mode indication area WB11, the manualmode indication area WB12, and the color temperature indication areaWB13, so that the white balance mode corresponding to the indicationarea with the rectangular frame is set as the selected white balancemode. Further, the name of the selected white balance mode is displayedin the first selected mode indication area WB2.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the shade white balance mode is selected.

When the white balance mode is changed under the condition where thefirst white balance setting picture is indicated, the white balanceadjustment made to the image data corresponding to the previewindication operation is fine-tuned on the basis of the white balancegain corresponding to the selected white balance mode (see step S16 inFIG. 4). The still picture on which the white balance adjustment isfine-tuned is superimposed with information regarding the setting stateof the white balance (the first white balance setting picture), in otherwords, the first white balance setting picture is indicated on the stillpicture with the on-screen indication.

Therefore, the result of the white balance adjustment can be visuallyrecognized.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to the preview position underthe condition where the first white balance setting picture isindicated, the photographing operation is performed, the captured imagedata is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80, and then the stillpicture corresponding to the temporarily stored image data issuperimposed with information regarding the setting state of the whitebalance (the first white balance setting picture).

The still picture in this time is an image on which the white balanceadjustment is fine-tuned using the white balance gain that was set onthe basis of the selected white balance mode corresponding to theindication area with the rectangular frame on the first white balancesetting picture.

When the decision key 17 is depressed under the condition where thefirst white balance setting picture is indicated, the white balance gainis determined on the basis of the selected white balance modecorresponding to the indication area with the rectangular frame on thefirst white balance setting picture. The indication is then switchedfrom the first white balance setting picture to the function settingpicture.

When the right-direction key 16 c is depressed under the condition wherethe first white balance setting picture is indicated, the indication isswitched from the first white balance setting picture to the secondwhite balance setting picture (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

The second white balance setting picture has the first selected modeindication area WB2, the decision command indication area WB4, anadjustment state indication area WB21, the adjustment quantityindication area WB22, a reset command indication area WB23, a cancelcommand indication area WB24, a GM compensation value indication areaWB25, a BA compensation value indication area WB26, and a secondselected mode indication area WB27.

The adjustment state indication area WB21 illustrates a state where thefine adjustment is made to the white balance, by figure.

The reset command indication area WB23 displays an icon and a letter toindicate information regarding the command of the reset key 14.

When the reset key 14 is depressed under the condition where the secondwhite balance indication setting picture is indicated, the fineadjustment made to the white balance is reset so that the cursor on theadjustment quantity indication area WB22 is moved to the point oforigin.

The cancel command indication area WB24 displays an icon and a letter toindicate information regarding the command of the menu key 18.

When the menu key 18 is depressed under the condition where the secondwhite balance indication setting picture is indicated, the indication isswitched from the second white balance setting picture to the firstwhite balance setting picture.

The GM compensation value indication area WB25 indicates an adjustmentvalue of the tone of the colors between green and magenta that shows thequantity of the fine adjustment made to the white balance by using anup-direction arrow, a down-direction arrow, and a numerical value.

The BA compensation value indication area WB26 indicates an adjustmentvalue of the tone of the colors between blue and amber that shows thequantity of the fine adjustment made to the white balance by using aright-direction arrow, a left-direction arrow, and a numerical value.

The second selected mode indication area WB27 displays an icon toindicate a white balance mode that is selected by the user and displaysa letter to indicate that this picture is used for the fine-adjustmentmade to the white balance.

When one of the up-direction key 16 a, the down-direction key 16 b, theright-direction key 16 c, or the left-direction key 16 d is depressedunder the condition where the second white balance setting picture isindicated, the cursor on the adjustment quantity indication area WB22 ismoved so that the fine adjustment is made to the white balance on thebasis of the white balance gain corresponding to the selected whitebalance mode and the position of the cursor.

Specifically, the tone of the green color is strengthened by depressingthe up-direction key 16 a, the tone of the magenta color is strengthenedby depressing the down-direction key 16 b, the tone of the amber coloris strengthened by depressing the right-direction key 16 c, and the toneof the blue color is strengthened by depressing the left-direction key16 d.

The adjustment state indication area WB21 has a first adjustment stateindication area WB21 a, a second adjustment state indication area WB21b, a third adjustment state indication area WB21 c, and a fourthadjustment state indication area WB21 d.

The first adjustment state indication area WB21 a has an arc shape andis arranged on the upper side of the adjustment quantity indication areaWB22.

The second adjustment state indication area WB21 b has an arc shape andis arranged on the lower side of the adjustment quantity indication areaWB22.

The third adjustment state indication area WB21 c has an arc shape andis arranged on the right side of the adjustment quantity indication areaWB22.

The fourth adjustment state indication area WB21 d has an arc shape andis arranged on the left side of the adjustment quantity indication areaWB22.

The first, second, third, and fourth adjustment state indication areasWB21 a, WB21 b, WB21 c, and WB21 d approximately form a circular shapethat surrounds the adjustment quantity indication area WB22.

On the second white balance setting picture, the adjustment stateindication area WB21 is indicated (see FIGS. 8 and 9). When the decisionkey 17 is depressed under the condition of the second white balancesetting picture, the indication is switched from the second whitebalance setting picture to the first white balance setting picture sothat the adjustment state indication area WB21 is not indicated on thefirst white balance setting picture (only the second white balancesetting picture has the adjustment state indication area WB21, see FIGS.6 and 7).

Therefore, it can be easily and visually recognized whether or not thefine adjustment is made to the white balance by confirming whether theadjustment state indication area WB21 is indicated or not.

The first adjustment state indication area WB21 a has green color, thesecond adjustment state indication area WB21 b has magenta color, thethird adjustment state indication area WB21 c has amber color, and thefourth adjustment state indication area WB21 d has blue color.

The adjustment quantity indication area WB22 consists of the cursorillustrating the quantity of the fine adjustment made to the whitebalance, and the two-dimensional coordinate plane illustrating thecursor's range of movement.

A square-shaped frame that constitutes an external form of thetwo-dimensional coordinate plane has an upper-side part WB22 a, alower-side part WB22 b, a right-side part WB22 c, and a left-side partWB22 d.

The inside of the two-dimensional coordinate plane has a colorconstitution that does not transmit. For example, the inside of thetwo-dimensional coordinate plane consists of a grid of black lines on awhite background, or a grid of white lines on a black background.Therefore, the part of the image that is superimposed with the first(second) white balance setting picture that overlaps the two-dimensionalcoordinate plane is not indicated.

The upper-side part WB22 a has green color at the center in thehorizontal direction. It has a color gradation with the amount of ambercolor increasing in the right direction from the green color at thehorizontal center, and it has a color gradation with the amount of bluecolor increasing in the left direction from the green color at thehorizontal center.

The lower-side part WB22 b has magenta color at the center in thehorizontal direction. It has a color gradation with the amount of ambercolor increasing in the right direction from the magenta color at thehorizontal center, and it has a color gradation with the amount of bluecolor increasing in the left direction from the magenta color at thehorizontal center.

The right-side part WB22 c has amber color at the center in the verticaldirection. It has a color gradation with the amount of green colorincreasing in the upper direction from the amber color at the verticalcenter, and it has a color gradation with the amount of magenta colorincreasing in the lower direction from the amber color at the verticalcenter.

The left-side part WB22 d has blue color at the center in the verticaldirection. It has a color gradation with the amount of green colorincreasing in the upper direction from the blue color at the verticalcenter, and it has a color gradation with the amount of magenta colorincreasing in the lower direction from the blue color at the verticalcenter.

The upper-side part WB22 a has a color gradation whose right side coloris close to the central color of the right-side part WB22 c that isadjacent to the upper-side part WB22 a, and whose left side color isclose to the central color of the left-side part WB22 d that is adjacentto the upper-side part WB22 a.

The lower-side part WB22 b has a color gradation whose right side coloris close to the central color of the right-side part WB22 c that isadjacent to the lower-side part WB22 b, and whose left side color isclose to the central color of the left-side part WB22 d that is adjacentto the lower-side part WB22 b.

The right-side part WB22 c has a color gradation whose upper side coloris close to the central color of the upper-side part WB22 a that isadjacent to the right-side part WB22 c, and whose lower side color isclose to the central color of the lower-side part WB22 b that isadjacent to the right-side part WB22 c.

The left-side part WB22 d has a color gradation whose upper side coloris close to the central color of the upper-side part WB22 a that isadjacent to the left-side part WB22 d, and whose lower side color isclose to the central color of the lower-side part WB22 b that isadjacent to the left-side part WB22 d.

Therefore, the tone of the color that is strengthened by moving thecursor on the two-dimensional coordinate plane of the adjustmentquantity indication area WB22 can be easily recognized visually by thecolor constitution of the first, second, third, and fourth adjustmentstate indication areas WB21 a, WB21 b, WB21 c, and WB21 d, theupper-side part WB22 a, the lower-side part WB22 b, the right-side partWB22 c, and the left-side part WB22 d.

When the fine adjustment is made to the white balance under thecondition where the second white balance setting picture is indicated,the white balance adjustment, including the fine adjustment, made to theimage data corresponding to the preview indication operation isfine-tuned on the basis of the white balance gain that corresponds tothe selected white balance mode and the position of the cursor in theadjustment quantity indication area WB22. The still picture on which thewhite balance adjustment including the fine adjustment is tuned, issuperimposed with information regarding the setting state of the whitebalance (the second white balance setting picture), in other words, thesecond white balance setting picture is indicated on the still picturewith the on-screen indication.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to the preview position underthe condition where the second white balance setting picture isindicated, the photographing operation is performed, the captured imagedata is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80, and the stillpicture corresponding to the temporarily stored image data is thensuperimposed with information regarding the setting state of the whitebalance (the second white balance setting picture).

The still picture in this time is an image on which the white balanceadjustment, including the fine adjustment, using the white balance gainset on the basis of the selected white balance mode and the position ofthe cursor in the adjustment quantity indication area WB22 is tuned.

When the decision key 17 is depressed under the condition where thesecond white balance setting picture is indicated, the white balancegain, including the fine adjustment quantity, is determined on the basisof the selected white balance mode and the position of the cursor in theadjustment quantity indication area WB22. The indication is thenswitched from the second white balance setting picture to the firstwhite balance setting picture.

When the menu key 18 is depressed under the condition where the secondwhite balance setting picture is indicated, the indication is switchedfrom the second white balance setting picture to the first white balancesetting picture without determining the quantity of the fine adjustmentmade to the white balance in the selected white balance mode on thebasis of the position of the cursor in the adjustment quantityindication area WB22 on the second white balance setting picture.

Next, a flow of the image data that is generated for the previewindication operation is explained by using the flowchart in FIG. 4.

When the power supply lever 12 is rotated to the preview position, thephotographing operation is performed under the exposure condition set bythe user or calculated by the photometric operation so that the RAW datais generated.

In step S11, an adjustment is made to the white balance of the RAW data.In step S12, a color interpolation operation is performed. In step S13,gamma compensation is performed. Adjustments made to tone curve,sharpness, and chromaticness are carried out in step S13.

After step S13, YCbCr data is generated. The YCbCr data is image datathat is used for the preview indication operation, and is temporarilystored in the buffer memory 80.

In the case where the RAW data that is stored in the memory unit 70 isused for the preview indication operation, the same operations in stepsS11 to S13 are performed.

In the case where the newly set white balance gain is multiplied by theYCbCr data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 80, a reverse gammacompensation that returns it to its previous state before the gammacompensation, is performed in step S14.

Further, a reverse adjustment made to the tone curve and chromaticnessis fine-tuned so that the YCbCr data is returned to its previous statebefore the original fine-tuned adjustment was made to the tone curve andchromaticness.

In step S15, a reverse adjustment made to the white balance isfine-tuned so that the YCbCr data is returned to its previous statebefore the original fine-tuned adjustment was made to the white balance;in other words, before the white balance gain is multiplied.

In step S16, the adjustment made to the newly set white balance isfine-tuned, and then the operation proceeds to step S12.

Next, a flow for setting the white balance gain is explained by usingthe flowchart in FIG. 5.

In step S31, for indicating the first white balance setting picture (orthe second white balance setting picture), the function key 15 and theleft-direction key 16 d of the direction keys 16 are operated.

In step S32, it is determined whether image data (the YCbCr data) istemporarily stored in the buffer memory 80. When it is determined thatthere is image data in the buffer memory 80, the operation continues tostep S33. Otherwise, the operation proceeds directly to step S40.

In step S33, the still picture corresponding to the temporarily storedimage data is indicated on the first display 92 a so that the firstwhite balance setting picture (or the second white balance settingpicture) is indicated on the still picture with the on-screen indication(see steps S14 to S16, S12, and S13 in FIG. 4).

In step S34, it is determined whether the power supply lever 12 is movedto the preview position so that the image data for the previewindication operation is newly obtained. When it is determined that thepower supply lever 12 is moved to the preview position so that the imagedata for the preview indication operation is newly obtained, theoperation continues to step S35. Otherwise, the operation by-passes stepS35 and proceeds directly to step S36.

In step S35, the still picture based on the newly obtained image data isindicated on the first display 92 a so that the first white balancesetting picture (or the second white balance setting picture) isindicated on the still picture with the on-screen indication (see stepsS11 to S13 in FIG. 4).

In step S36, it is determined whether the parameter regarding the whitebalance has been changed, or the operation for changing the whitebalance gain has been performed. Specifically, when the first whitebalance setting picture is indicated, a determination is made as towhether the white balance mode has been changed. When the second whitebalance setting picture is indicated, a determination is made as towhether the quantity of the fine adjustment of the white balance of theselected white balance mode has been changed.

When it is determined that the parameter regarding the white balance hasbeen changed, the operation continues to step S37. Otherwise, theoperation by-passes step S37 and proceeds directly to step S38.

In step S37, the white balance of the image data corresponding to thestill picture that is indicated in step S33 or S35 is fine-tuned on thebasis of the newly set white balance gain, and the still picture whosewhite balance has been fine-tuned is then indicated on the first display92 a so that the first white balance setting picture (or the secondwhite balance setting picture), whose parameter regarding the whitebalance has been changed, is indicated on the still picture with theon-screen indication (see steps S14 to S16, S12, and S13 in FIG. 4).

In step S38, it is determined whether setting the white balance gain iscontinued; in other words, one of either the decision key 17 or the menukey 18 is depressed.

When the indication is switched from the first white balance settingpicture to the second white balance setting picture, the adjustmentstate indication area WB21 is indicated around the adjustment quantityindication area WB22.

When the indication is switched from the second white balance settingpicture to the first white balance setting picture, the adjustment stateindication area WB21 around the adjustment quantity indication area WB22disappears.

Therefore, the difference can be instantly and visually recognizedbetween a state when the fine adjustment of the white balance can betuned (when the second white balance setting picture is indicated) and astate when the fine adjustment of the white balance cannot be tuned(when the first white balance setting picture is indicated).

When it is determined that neither the decision key 17 nor the menu key18 are depressed, setting the white balance gain is continued and theoperation is returned to step S34.

When it is determined that one of either the decision key 17 or the menukey 18 is depressed, setting the white balance gain is finished and theoperation continues to step S39.

In step S40, the first white balance setting picture (or the secondwhite balance setting picture) is indicated on the first display 92 awithout indicating the still picture.

In step S41, it is determined whether the power supply lever 12 is movedto the preview position so that the image data for the previewindication operation is newly obtained. When it is determined that thepower supply lever 12 is moved to the preview position so that the imagedata for the preview indication operation is newly obtained, theoperation is returned to step S35. Otherwise, the operation continues tostep S42.

In step S42, the first white balance setting picture (or the secondwhite balance setting picture) is indicated on the first display 92 awithout indicating the still picture. In this time, even if theparameter regarding the white balance has changed, the still picture isnot tuned regarding the white balance.

In step S43, it is determined whether setting the white balance gain iscontinued; in other words, one of either the decision key 17 or the menukey 18 is depressed.

When it is determined that neither the decision key 17 nor the menu key18 are depressed, setting the white balance gain is continued and theoperation is returned to step S41.

When it is determined that one of either the decision key 17 or the menukey 18 is depressed, setting the white balance gain is finished and theoperation is returned to step S39.

In the embodiment, for the preview indication operation the stillpicture is used. However, the moving picture may be used for the previewindication operation.

The RAW data or the RCbCr data that is stored in the memory unit 70 maybe used as the image data for the preview indication on the firstdisplay 92 a.

Further, before storage in the memory unit 70 or the buffer memory 80,the image data may be used as the image data for the preview indicationon the first display 92 a.

Further, the white balance setting picture of the white balance gainincluding the fine adjustment is used as the setting picture in theembodiment. However, another setting picture regarding another imageprocessing operation, that converts from the RAW data to the YCbCr datathat can be indicated as the still image, such as adjustments of tonecurve, sharpness, and chromaticness may used as the setting picture.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been describedherein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously manymodifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in JapanesePatent Application No. 2006-247909 (filed on Sep. 13, 2006), which isexpressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

1. A photographing apparatus comprising: an imaging sensor that obtainsimage data; and a display unit that indicates a first white balancesetting picture that is used for setting a white balance gain in a whitebalance adjustment of said image data and a second white balance settingpicture that is used for setting a fine adjustment of said white balancegain, said second white balance setting picture having an adjustmentstate indication area that illustrates a state where said fineadjustment is tuned and an adjustment quantity indication area which hasa cursor illustrating a quantity of said fine adjustment and atwo-dimensional coordinate plane illustrating a range of movement ofsaid cursor; only said second white balance setting picture having saidadjustment state indication area.
 2. The photographing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein an adjustment of a tone of colors betweengreen and magenta, and an adjustment of the tone of colors between blueand amber are tuned, in said fine adjustment.
 3. The photographingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said adjustment state indicationarea has a first adjustment state indication area, a second adjustmentstate indication area, a third adjustment state indication area, and afourth adjustment state indication area; said first adjustment stateindication area has an arc shape, is arranged on an upper side of saidadjustment quantity indication area; said second adjustment stateindication area has an arc shape, is arranged on a lower side of saidadjustment quantity indication area; said third adjustment stateindication area has an arc shape, is arranged on a right side of saidadjustment quantity indication area; said fourth adjustment stateindication area has an arc shape, is arranged on a left side of saidadjustment quantity indication area; and said first, second, third, andfourth adjustment state indication areas approximately form a circularshape that surrounds said adjustment quantity indication area.
 4. Thephotographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a square-shapedframe that constitutes an external form of said two-dimensionalcoordinate plane, has an upper-side part, a lower-side part, aright-side part, and a left-side part; said upper-side part has greencolor at a horizontal center, has a color gradation so that amber coloris increased in a right direction from green color at said horizontalcenter, and has a color gradation so that blue color is increased in aleft direction from green color at said horizontal center; saidlower-side part has magenta color at said horizontal center, has a colorgradation so that amber color is increased in said right direction frommagenta color at said horizontal center, and has a color gradation sothat blue color is increased in said left direction from magenta colorat said horizontal center; said right-side part has amber color at avertical center, has a color gradation so that green color is increasedin an upper direction from amber color at said vertical center, and hasa color gradation so that magenta color is increased in a lowerdirection from amber color at said vertical center; and said left-sidepart has blue color at said vertical center, has a color gradation sothat green color is increased in said upper direction from blue color atsaid vertical center, and has a color gradation so that magenta color isincreased in said lower direction from blue color at said verticalcenter.
 5. A photographing apparatus comprising: an imaging sensor thatobtains image data; a display unit that indicates a first imageprocessing setting picture that is used for setting regarding an imageprocessing operation of said image data, and a second image processingsetting picture that is used for setting a fine adjustment of thesetting regarding said image processing; and an operating unit that isused for switching from a state that said first image processing settingpicture is indicated to a state that said second image processingsetting picture is indicated, by operating said operation unit; whereinan adjustment quantity indication area that has a cursor illustrating aquantity of said fine adjustment and a two-dimensional coordinate planeillustrating a movement range of said cursor being indicated when saidfirst image processing setting picture is indicated; and an adjustmentstate indication area that illustrates a state where said fineadjustment is tuned being indicated besides said adjustment quantityindication area when an indication on said display unit is switched fromsaid first image processing picture to said second image processingpicture.
 6. The photographing apparatus according to claim 5, whereinsaid image processing operation is at least one of a white balanceadjustment, a tone curve adjustment, a sharpness adjustment, and achromaticness adjustment.
 7. The photographing apparatus according toclaim 5, further comprising a decision key that is used for determiningsaid quantity of said fine adjustment under the condition where saidsecond image processing setting picture is indicated; wherein saidquantity of said fine adjustment is determined so that said indicationon said display unit is switched from said second image processingsetting picture to said first image processing setting picture, whensaid decision key is operated.